Munich, Florence and Nice

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2: Munich

Willkommen in München! After meeting your ACIS Tour Manager and settling in to your hotel, get out on the streets of this capital city of Bavaria. Perhaps try a käsekrainer (cheese-filled sausage) from a street vendor or stop into a bakery for a fresh bretzeln.

Day 3: Munich

In the morning, we learn more about Munich with an expertly guided sightseeing tour to sites like the Marienplatz with its famed Glockenspiel, the Viktualienmarkt food and flower market and the surfers on the Isar River in the Englischer Garten. In the afternoon, we head to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial. This former prison camp was technically not one of the “death camps” but is still a vivid reminder of Nazi atrocities during World War II. Return to Munich in time for dinner.

Day 4: Dolomite Mountain Area

Our drive today brings us first south to the German ski town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen where you'll see the ski stadium from the 1936 Olympic Games. Continue to Innsbruck, for time to get lunch and explore the city on the River Inn, including the lively center and the stunning Goldenes Dachl. Later, we continue through Sud Tyrol over the historic Brenner Pass to our stay for the night in a northern Italian mountain village.

Day 5: Venice

Our journey today down to Venice includes a stop in “Fair Verona” (where we lay our scene). The city was a major third century Roman trading outpost and has a long history of feuds, drama, and dark chapters (both factual and fictional). On our stopover, we'll have time to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site on foot with entrance to the Roman Arena (often used as a stunning venue for opera) included.

Day 6: Florence

Consisting of an archipelago carved by nearly 150 canals into 118 different islands, the incomparable city of Venice contains a wealth of sights. Arrive in St. Mark's Square where you can see the Basilica of St. Mark and the Bridge of Sighs, which connected the old prisons of Venice to the interrogation rooms of the neighboring Doge's Palace. Then learn more about one of Venice's most famous exports during an authentic glassblowing demonstration before visiting the historic Fondaco dei Tedeschi for breathtaking views of the Grand Canal from its rooftop. Stop for a photo at nearby Rialto Bridge en route to an authentic cicchetteria where you will sample traditional Venetian-style tapas. Then explore more at your own pace with unlimited access to the entire canal network and smaller islands using your vaporetto pass. You'll feel like a local in no time. Head south to Florence for the night.

Day 7: Florence

Find out why Florence is considered the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” On your city sightseeing tour with a local expert you'll see Brunelleschi's famed Duomo, Ghiberti's Baptistry Doors and Piazza della Signoria—the political center of this great Renaissance city. Then breeze by the crowds with your own timed entrance to the Accademia, which houses Michelangelo's David. In the afternoon enjoy a Tuscan cooking lesson where an Italian chef will teach you how to prepare a three-course Tuscan meal. Participants will aid the chef in the preparation and then everyone will enjoy a tasting.

Day 8: Nice

This morning, travel through the Italian Riviera to the French Riviera. Along the way we'll visit Pisa. Your stop here includes entrance to the ornate Cathedral of Pisa, part of a complex of buildings located on the Piazza dei Miracoli accompanying the iconic Leaning Tower (the cathedral's bell tower). Continue on to Nice, where this evening you'll stroll through the splendid Place Massena and compare it to the winding alleyways of old Nice.

Day 9: Nice

Today discover the city's hidden gems from a different perspective during a bicycle tour showcasing areas such as the port, Place Garibaldi, Place Massena and the Old Town. The afternoon is yours to relax on the pebbly beach or explore more of Nice's highlights at your own pace. Perhaps visit the Palais Lascaris, an interesting museum housed in a 17th century Baroque building, or enjoy spectacular views from the Parc de la Colline du Château.

Day 10: Departure

Depart for the USA.